GUPTA DYNASTY 300 550 A.D

1
HISTORY OF INDIAMedieval Times

• GUPTA DYNASTY
• 300 550 A.D.

2
Timeline of History

• Vedic Civilization 5000 B.C.
• Indus Saraswati Civilizations 2500 - 1000
  B.C.
• Birth of Jainism and Buddhism 563 - 400 B.C.
• Golden Age of Indian Unity Govt Mauryan
  Dynasty 325 - 175 B.C.
• Golden Age of Indian Arts Sciences Gupta
  Dynasty 300 - 650 A.D.
• Regional Kingdoms and Muslim Invasions 700
  1200 A.D.
• The Mughal Empire 1300 - 1700 A.D.
• The British East-India Company 1600 A.D.
• The British Empire 1700 - 1900 A.D.
• India's Freedom Struggle 1857 - 1947
• Independence 1947
• Modern India 2020 Vision 20th and 21st Century

3
Golden Age of Arts and Culture

• SUMMARY
• Emperors Samudragupta , Chandragupta II, and
  Harshavardhan
• Kalidasa who composed Shakuntala was during this
  era.
• Ajanta and Ellora cavtemples were erected.
• Gold coins were minted es and lots of temples
  were built.
• Sarnath and Mathura during this time.
• Harsha was supporter of Buddhism and Hinduism.
• Nalanda University and Banaras University were
  setup during this time

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Hierarchy of Rulers
5
Chandragupta I

• Chandragupta was a chieftain who married
  Kumaradevi and inherited a small kingdom.
• Eventually he expanded to become the King of
  Magadha. His kingdom was limited to that region.

6
Samudragupta

• Son of Chandragupta I. Crowned Samudragupta to be
  the King for his abilities even though he was not
  the eldest.
• He was very adventurous and led his army across
  the 4800 km span of India and conquered kingdoms
  along the way.
• Performed Ashawamedha Yagna (Horse Sacrifice) and
  proclaimed himself Emperor.
• Very talented in musical instrument of Veena.
• Study of art, literature, and science flourished.
• Buddhist monastry at Bodh Gaya was built.

7
Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)

• He extended his rule in every direction but
  South. He added the title to his name
  Vikramaditya (Son of Power).
• Hindus still call Vikram Samvat i.e. beginning
  of the year of his kingdom.
• All his achievements are inscribed on famous iron
  pillar in Delhi which remain clear even today.
• Established direct trade with Egypt and other
  western countries.
• Yagnavalka rishi, Kalidasa lived during this
  time.
• Paintings in Ajanta and Ellora caves are from
  this era.
• Fa Hien, the Chinese pilgirm spent 11 years
  during this time studying Sanskrit and wrote
  about prosperity.

8
Kumargupta I

• Further expanded the kingdom and performed
  Ashwamedh Yagna.
• No other exceptional achievements are noted
  during this time.

9
Harsha Vardhana

• Harsha Vardhana became King of Thanesar, north of
  Delhi in 606 A.D.
• He was only 16 when he ascended the throne, but
  eventually ruled most of North India from
  Kathiawar to Bengal for 41 years. Defeated Hun
  invaders.
• Hiuen Tsan, the famous Chinese traveler has
  recorded his achievements from 630 to 640 A.D.
• Nalanda and Banaras University were the most
  flourishing schools of learning during his time.
• He was a supporter of Hinduism and Buddhism.
  After his death Buddhism lost vitality in India.

10
Kalidasa

• Great poet and Dramatist.
• Considered the chief of the nine gems of
  Vikramadityas court.
• Famous drama Shakuntala and Meghdoot.
• The name Bharat came from the classic
  Shakuntala.

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Administration

• As efficient as Mauryan empire.
• Huge military and spy network supported the
  Emperors.

12
Trade

• Commerce as well as works of art flourished in
  the Gupta Era.
• Sea borne trade from Bengal to Ceylon and China
  was prevalent.
• South Vietnam was a Hindu kingdom name Fu-Nan.
• India also had trade relations with Rome.
• State owned all the salt and mines and operated
  industrial enterprises like royal mint, munitions
  factory, gold and silver workshops, and weaving
  and spinning mills.

13
Golden Age of Culture and Arts

• Royal support gave funding to build Hindu temples
  dedicated to worship of Gods like Siva, Visnu,
  and Divine Mother Durga.
• This period is noted for the development of cave
  art and sculpture. Ajantas cave paintings and
  sculptures of human figures are historic
  mementoes of the peoples life during the Gupta
  period.
• Science, Mathematics, Painting, Sculpture and
  Music reached the climax of development.

14
Ajanta Caves

• The Ajanta caves are located 65 miles NE of
  Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
• They are 30 in number and were originally were
  carved in 3rd century BC under Buddhist sway.
  Under Gupta empire they were expanded. The last
  of the caves was built in seventh century.
• The caves are rock-cut temples with frescoes
  built by Buddhist monks. All the caves have
  Buddhist theme.
• The caves are of two types chaityas or temples,
  and viharas or monasteries.

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Ajanta Caves

• They were discovered in 1819 by British Military
  officers during their maneuvers.
• The older ones (200 BC)are built by followers of
  'lesser vehicle' or Hinayana Buddhism (no direct
  depiction of Buddha but symbolically represent
  using stupas, footprints, trees and elephants).
• The newer ones after 100AD are followers of
  greater vehicle or Mahayana Buddhism which have
  larger-than-life depiction of Buddha.
• Most famous caves are 1, 16, 17, 19.

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Ajanta Caves contd..

• Cave 1 Last one completed around 5th century
  AD. Best example of Vihara architecture with an
  ornate facade, carved columns, an impressive
  front hall divided by sculpted pillars and a
  large image of the Buddha.
• Cave 16 has some of Ajanta's best painting and
  offers the best view of the whole area. It is
  also possible that this was the principal
  entrance to the whole temple complex.
• Cave 17 has the absolute finest in terms of
  condition, quantity and quality.
• Cave 19 has been called "the sculptor's
  treasure chest" especially by virtue of the
  profusion of exquisite carvings on the facade

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Ajanta Caves contd..
The Ajanta Caves are carved into a cliff face
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Ajanta Caves contd..
The Ajanta Caves are carved into a cliff face
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Ajanta Caves contd..
The Ajanta Caves Walkway
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Transportation
Walkway
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 1
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 1 Paintings inside the cave
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 4 Entrance
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 7 Buddha
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 7 Sculpture
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave7 Miracles of Saraswati
Cave10 Pillar and Wall
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave9 Entrance
Cave10 Stupa
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 12 Buddha Statue
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave11 Buddha
Cave16 Buddha
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 13 Monks bed chambers
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 17 Entrance
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave19 Entrance
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave19 The famous horseshoe shaped window
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave19 Exterior Sculpture
Cave19 Stupa
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave19 Pillar carvings and Sculpture
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 20 Inside View
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 26 Sculpture
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Scenes from Jataka Tales
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Scenes from Jataka Tales
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Ajanta Caves contd..
Scenes from Jataka Tales